Since its inception in 1999, the focus of the Federation has evolved. Its most recent bylaws, filed in August 2023, state the Federation is organized exclusively for voluntary, humanitarian, educational and scientific purposes and shall operate under the laws of the State of Ohio with the following specific purposes “a) to promote and provide for the exchange of ideas, information, training and communication amongst and between K9 teams in Ohio relating to K9 search and rescue (SAR) and SAR in general; b) to provide a platform to support statewide K9 SAR evaluations and certifications; c) to promote the exchange of ideas, information, training, and communication with the Ohio Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Ohio Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and any other state, county, or township organization and/or it’s representative(s); d) to promote professionalism in the K9 SAR community; and, e) to promote and develop relationships with other non-K9 SAR organizations.“
The Ohio Federation of K9 Search Teams, Inc. has been a 501(c)(3) charitable organization since September 9, 2004.